This old-fashioned spice cake is a wonderfully warm and aromatic dessert perfect for autumn or holiday gatherings. Made with a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, and moistened with a touch of molasses and cold water, this cake achieves a rich, comforting flavor. The inclusion of “Miracle Whip” may surprise some, but it was a popular mid-century baking hack for ensuring moisture and tenderness. It’s topped with a caramel frosting made from melted Kraft caramels and optional applesauce, resulting in a nostalgic, sticky-sweet treat that pairs beautifully with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
Cake:
- ¾ cup Miracle Whip
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2½ cups sifted cake flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- ½ tsp clove
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¾ cup cold water
- 2 tbsp molasses
Frosting:
- ½ lb caramels (approx. 28 pieces)
- ⅓ cup water or milk
- ¼ cup margarine
- confectioners’ sugar (for desired consistency)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
Step 2: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
- In a mixing bowl, combine Miracle Whip and sugar. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices (clove, nutmeg, cinnamon). Alternate adding dry mixture and cold water to the Miracle Whip mixture, blending until smooth.
Step 3: Add Molasses
- Stir in molasses and mix until well incorporated.
Step 4: Bake
- Pour batter into the greased pan. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Step 5: Prepare Caramel Frosting
- In a small saucepan, melt Kraft caramels with ⅓ cup water or milk over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth.
Step 6: Make Caramel Frosting
- In a small saucepan, melt the caramels with ⅓ cup water or milk over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Add margarine and stir until melted.
Step 7: Finish Frosting
- Remove from heat and gradually blend in sifted confectioners’ sugar until desired consistency is reached.
Step 8: Frost and Serve
- Spread frosting over the cooled cake. Allow frosting to set before slicing and serving.
Tips
- Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar if skipping the caramel frosting
- Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for texture
- Substitute milk for water in the batter for a richer crumb
- Let the cake rest overnight for deeper spice flavor
- Double the caramel frosting for a thicker layer
- Use dark molasses for a stronger, more robust flavor
- Sprinkle cinnamon on top of frosting for presentation
Nutrition
Calories: 273kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 353mgPotassium: 128mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 189IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 0.5mg
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